Wade, Marsh called in as World Cup cover

Australia A arrived at Arundel for today's four-day clash with Sussex short two players after wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade and allrounder Mitchell Marsh were called up as cover to Australia's World Cup squad.

The injury setbacks to Usman Khawaja (hamstring) and Marcus Stoinis (side) suffered in Australia's dramatic loss to South Africa in Manchester yesterday has led national selectors to draft in Wade and Marsh, who left Brighton this morning for Birmingham, the location of Australia's blockbuster semi-final showdown with tournament hosts England on Thursday.

Both Khawaja and Stoinis are set to undergo scans today before their future in the World Cup is determined, with both players still officially a part of Australia's 15-man Cup squad at this stage.

However, Australia coach Justin Langer confirmed that Khawaja's hamstring strain has ruled him out of the World Cup, with Wade poised to replace him in the squad, pending official lodgement of the ICC paperwork.

Langer also said Stoinis has suffered a right side strain, after injuring his left side earlier in the tournament, with the Aussies to make a call on his availability to face England in the next 24-48 hours.

"It's such a pity for (Khawaja), for someone who's been so integral to how we've been playing," said Langer. "Like Shaun (Marsh, who broke his arm on Thursday) I feel that sad for him that he's going to miss the World Cup semi-final.

"Matthew Wade is coming up, he's in great form, he's had a great 12 or 18 months back home but he also just scored two hundreds (for Australia A) so he's in great nick.

"Mitch Marsh is going to come on standby for Marcus Stoinis just to see how he comes up … If they have to come in they'll be ready to step up."

It's the second time during the tournament that Marsh has been called up to cover Stoinis, who suffered a side strain in Australia's loss to India before he passed a fitness test ahead of the Bangladesh match at Trent Bridge.

Both Wade and Marsh have been in fine touch for Australia A, who finished the one-day leg of their six-week campaign earlier this week in Bristol.

Wade plundered 355 runs in four one-day innings at an alarming rate, including a blistering century from just 45 balls against Derbyshire, the fastest List A century by an Australian.

While Wade has mauled the opposition bowling attacks at the top of the order, Marsh has been more measured in the middle order, posting four unbeaten scores of 40, 29, 53 and 4 in the four victories on tour.

Australia have already gone to the Australia A well this World Cup, calling up batsman Peter Handscomb for the injured Shaun Marsh, who broke his wrist in the nets after copping a nasty short ball from paceman Pat Cummins last week.

The departure of Wade and Marsh has forced Australia A to make changes to the XI for the four-day game against Sussex, with batsman Joe Burns – who arrived in England on Thursday having overcome a chronic fatigue disorder – and bowling allrounder Michael Neser expected to come into the XI.

If Burns plays, he will likely open the batting with Test partner Marcus Harris, with youngster Will Pucovski, who was set to open before Wade and Marsh were called away, likely to slide down the order.

Likely Australia A XI: Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Kurtis Patterson, Travis Head, Will Pucovski, Tim Paine (c, wk), Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland

- additional reporting Louis Cameron

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs

July 6: Australia lost to South Africa by 10 runs

July 9: Semi-Final 1, India v New Zealand, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Australia v England, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE